USA rejects Palestinan statehood resolution

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) – According to international media reports, Palestinian leaders are seeking to place a draft resolution in the UN that calls for peace deal with Israel within a year and an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories within three years. Palestinian officials say they may ask for Security Council vote on the resolution very soon.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the Israeli government has been “stalling” in peace talks for more than 20 years and this has led to what he called the status quo. “This status quo is not sustainable and will not continue,” said Erekat.

Both Israel and the United States rejected Palestinians’ UN draft resolution. American State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke said, “We don’t think this resolution is constructive. We think it sets arbitrary deadlines for reaching a peace agreement and for Israel’s withdrawal from the West Bank.”